The Parable of the Long Spoons

Thursday, May 8

 

This story is an adaptation of the parable of the long-handled spoons, which appears in the folklore of many cultures and the teachings of various religious traditions.

 

a graphic of a long blue spoon

 

 

 

Imagine there are two banquets: 

 

 

 

graphic depicting a group of people sitting around a table with food in the center

 

 

graphic depicting a group of people sitting around a table with food in the center

 

 

At both tables, there is a bountiful spread of food surrounded by hungry people. Everyone is given a long-handled spoon with which to eat.

 

 

graphic depicting a person looking at their long spoon

 

 

 

At the first table, they can reach the food with their long-handled spoons, but can’t figure out how to reach their mouths. The people get hungrier and hungrier, but can’t figure out how to feed themselves. 

 

 

 

graphic depicting a group of people sitting around a table with food in the center struggling to feed themselves with very long spoons

 

 

 

 

At the second table, the setup is the same. But together, the people realize that while the spoons are too long to reach their own mouths, they can easily feed one another.

 

 

 

graphic depicting a group of people sitting around a table with food in the center easily feeding each other with their long spoons

 

 

 

 

At the second table, everyone is fed and happy, able to enjoy the delicious feast. 

 

 

 

 

A graphic depicting four people smiling and crossing their long spoons to form an X through the center

 

 

 

 

To nourish ourselves, we must nourish each other. We will keep each other fed. 

 

 

 

 

A graphic depicting two long spoons with their long handles crossed and a heart in the center

 

 

 

 

Help us spread this hopeful message by downloading and sharing a printable Parable of the Long Spoon zine!

 

 

 

A long blue spoon

 

 

Art by Christine Tyler Hill @tenderwarriorco